The Phortify Industry Meeting 2026 in Jena brought together around 60 participants from industry, academia, research organisations and photonics networks across Europe. More than half represented the European photonics industry.
The meeting created a valuable space for direct exchange on how photonics education and training can better respond to the sector’s rapidly evolving needs.
The programme opened with keynote perspectives from Michael Totzeck, ZEISS Fellow, on technological trends and future competence needs, and Jose Pozo, CTO of Optica, on developments and opportunities across the European photonics sector.
Representatives from companies, universities and research organisations then explored current skills gaps, emerging technologies and the capabilities future graduates and professionals will need. The conversation covered core photonics knowledge alongside the growing importance of digital competences, data-driven methods and artificial intelligence.
The insights gathered will directly inform the further development of Phortify’s education and training activities, helping ensure that its photonics and digital courses remain closely aligned with industry needs.
By bringing these communities together, the Industry Meeting advanced a key Phortify goal: strengthening the connection between advanced photonics education and the skills needed across Europe’s fast-evolving photonics sector.
